"I would not be in favour of us giving one more penny to that"
March 03, 2023
Casement Park, Belfast has not re-opened since it closed in 2013
GAA president-elect Jarlath Burns says the association should not be expected to up its £15m contribution towards building the new Casement Park stadium.
Having originally been projected to cost £77m back in 2013, the Belfast venue’s new 34,500-capacity stadium has an estimated final cost of £140m.
Mr Burns was speaking at a media event on Thursday at the Box-It Athletic Grounds ahead of the Ulster GAA charity skydive on Sunday week when asked if the GAA should increase its £15m to help ensure that the Casement Park project is finally delivered.
“Definitely not, I would not be in favour of us giving one more penny to that,” Burns is quoted saying by BelfastLive.co.uk.
"If you look all around the country, there are so many major infrastructural projects that have to go ahead. Right down the east coast you have Kildare, you have Páirc Tailteann, you have St Brigid’s in Louth.
"You have Waterford, you have Killarney, Thurles needs a lot of money spent on it, even Croke Park needs upgraded. There are so many grounds that need a lot of work done.
"If you look at the history of Casement Park, that began as a project that was going to be a stadium for all (at the Maze). GAA was the last man standing in that process. We were happy to remain right at the end and keep Casement as the Antrim county ground.
"Whenever the other sports pulled out we were left and we were told that we would get a regional stadium.”
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